Upfront 12/00

GPO Appropriations Approved
WASHINGTON, DC—Congress has approved funding for the Government Printing Office’s (GPO) Congressional Printing and Binding Appropriation to the tune of $71.4 million for fiscal year 2001, down nearly 3 percent from the $73.2 million approved for fiscal year 2000. The appropriation is used to cover the costs of printing work that the GPO performs for Congress, such as the Congressional Record, bills, reports and hearings. Congress also ticketed $27.9 million (down roughly 6 percent from 2000) for the salaries and expenses appropriation of the superintendent of documents. The funding is used to cover the costs of distributing government publications as required by law.

Management Purchases Allegra
TROY, MI—An investor group, led by its own management, has purchased Allegra Network, formerly American Speedy Printing Centers, from an ownership group that includes entrepreneur Rick Inatome and former basketball star Isiah Thomas, according to Bill McIntyre, president and CEO. Domino’s Pizza founder Thomas Monaghan is among those involved in the investor group. Allegra Network operates nearly 400 locations in North America and Japan with annual sales of $200 million. The company will continue to operate multiple brands, including Allegra Print & Imaging, American Speedy Printing, Quick Print and Zippy Print.

George Rice Buys New M-2000
GREENWICH, CT—Quebecor World Commercial Group has announced the purchase of a Heidelberg M-2000 heatset web offset press for the QW George Rice & Sons facility in Los Angeles. The eight-color, gapless press features two-sided in-line UV coating and an array of in-line folding configurations. The press, scheduled to be installed before the end of 2000, is slated to begin printing customer jobs by February of next year.

St. Ives Gets ISO Certification
CLEVELAND—St. Ives Cleveland has achieved ISO 9002 registration for meeting quality standards. “Our quality mission states that we expect to exceed our customers’ expectations,” notes Gary Davis, general manager for St. Ives Cleveland. “The ISO 9002 designation is just another commitment we have made to provide customers with our best service.”